Differential Tuition Fast facts

Differential tuition is a surcharge on credit hours that dozens of public universities implement on courses in lucrative fields such as business and engineering.

The College of Business and College of Engineering are considering a 15% surcharge on its courses to offset dwindling University budgets caused by decreased state funding and rising costs.

SIU Board of Trustees will discuss the matter in January, 2008.

In the College of Business, the differential tuition money will be used for student services such as scholarships, assistantships, enhanced academic advising, improved career services, curriculum innovation and increased soft-skills training.

The 15% surcharge on business courses would equal an additional $31.74 per sch (student credit hour) for residents and $79.35 per sch for non-residents.

College of Business students currently enrolled would not be affected by differential tuition unless they study for more than four years. The surcharge would go into effect for new students enrolling Fall, 2008.

Currently, a number of peer institutions have approved differential tuition. The following are representative samples:

U. of Illinois - UC
U. of Illinois - Chicago
U. of Missouri – Columbia
U. of Kentucky
U. of Arkansas
U. Of Memphis
Clemson U.
Kansas State U.
West Virginia U.
U. of Wisconsin/Milwaukee
Utah State U.